“The police,” she said gently.
Andrew nodded. Of course they did, and she wanted to talk to them, too. “Okay, give me five minutes to get dressed.”
She pushed the covers back and swung her legs around to get out of bed. A wave of dizziness stopped her and, putting her hands on her knees, she lowered her head and breathed deeply.
Her mom looked horrified. “You’re not speaking to them now! They can wait until you’re feeling a bit stronger.”
“No. I want to talk to them.” She knew that it hadn’t sunk in yet and that when it did, it would destroy her and she wouldn’t be able to function. She wanted to talk to them before that happened.
“No, darling, I simply won’t allow it!”
“Mom, please. Let me do this.” Her sigh told her that she knew there was no point arguing with her.
“Okay, but I’ll be there with you. There’s an officer downstairs who’s been here waiting for you to wake up. I’ll go and tell him you’ll be down when you’re dressed.” She stood up. “Will you be okay on your own for a few minutes?”
“I’ll be fine,” she assured her. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
She didn’t move until her mother had left the room and closed the door softly behind her.
The pain came then. In great crashing waves, it washed over her, leaving her gasping for breath. She couldn’t do anything but grip her sheets tightly in her fists, sucking in air as if she were drowning. She could feel the tears stream down her cheeks and drop off her chin, but she didn’t try to stop them. Couldn’t have if she’d wanted to.
She stayed like that for a few minutes, until she felt the waves start to recede and she was able to catch her breath again. Gradually, her head started to clear and she was able to get control of her grief. At least for now.
Standing up on wobbly legs, she went to the bathroom and washed her face, allowing the cool water to wash away the tears and sooth the puffiness around her eyes. The sight of herself in the mirror startled her. To anyone else she would look exactly the same, but she could see it. She had been dealt a cruel blow and it showed in her eyes. Part of her had died.
Taking a long, deep breath, she made a promise. When I find out who did this to you, I will make them pay.
Calmer now, she got dressed and went downstairs to speak to the police.
9
His eyes felt gritty as he tried to concentrate on the road ahead, that grittiness you get when you haven’t slept. He hadn’t been able to go back to sleep so he’d just laid there as the darkness turned from inky black to cobalt blue, signaling the arrival of dawn.
What he had done bothered him, but he would deal with it. What was bothering him more was the thought of losing everything if he got caught. As soon as the sun had appeared over the horizon, he’d gotten out of bed, dressed, and headed home.
Turning off the main road onto the driveway, he wondered what he would find. They would have found Ted’s body by now, no doubt. The police cruiser parked outside the house confirmed his thoughts and he took a deep breath to settle his nerves before getting out of the car and going indoors. Showtime.
“What’s going on?” he asked studiously, keeping his face blank.
“Ah, Neil.” His father stood up from where he’d been on the couch in the living room. “This is Officer Casey.” He gestured to the uniformed officer standing next to him. “Something terrible has happened, I’m afraid.” He took a deep breath. “Ted has been killed.”
Neil pretended to be shocked. He needed this to look genuine.
“Oh, my God! What happened?” He listened to the details as if he didn’t already know them, making appropriately horrified comments, desperately wanting to ask if the police had any leads.
“Where’s Andrew? Is she okay?” He felt a twinge of guilt as he thought of what this must be doing to his sister, but it didn’t last long. It was about survival now.
“She’s upstairs with your mother. She’s just been talking to the officer here and it was quite upsetting. I would leave them alone for now, son.” His dad placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “She’s going to need our support.”
Neil nodded, placing his own hand on top of his father’s. “Of course.”
“So, what do you know?” He addressed the question to the police officer.
“Not a lot yet, I’m afraid,” the officer said, shaking his head. “The bar doesn’t have any surveillance cameras and no one saw what happened. We’re still trying to trace a couple of the regulars who were in earlier, but so far, I’m afraid, we have nothing.”
“Had he been robbed?”
“No, it doesn’t look like a robbery. His wallet and car were still there and the keys were in the ignition. If robbery had been the motive, I’m sure they wouldn’t have passed up an opportunity like that.”
Neil quietly let out a breath. They were clueless!
“So, what happens now?”
“Well, we’ve spoken to Miss Donald and your parents, so now we just need to speak to you when you’re over the shock. We can’t afford to wait too long, though.”
“No need to wait for me. You can talk to me now. Anything I can do to help, I will.”
“I’ll leave you to it, Neil. I’m going to check on your sister,” his father said with a nod to the police officer. “Anything you need, you call me, understood?” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room.
“Thank you for your cooperation. This won’t take long.” The officer gestured to the couch. “Shall we sit down?”
Neil sat, somehow managing to keep his expression blank.
“Now, I apologize, but I have to ask this. Where were you last night after 9 p.m.?”
“Is that when they think he was killed?”
“We haven’t had the time of death from the medical examiner yet, but a customer recalls leaving the bar at that time and the lot was empty then.”
“Ah, okay.” Neil made a show of thinking about where he was. “I was at my girlfriend’s house. Marrie Taylor. I was there from about 7 p.m. on.”
The officer made a note. “And what time did you leave?”
Neil smiled conspiratorially. “About half an hour ago.”
The officer responded with a brief smile. “We’re going to need to speak to her. Just routine, you understand.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, that’s all I need for now. If there is anything else the detectives will be in touch.”
Shaking his hand, Neil walked him to the door and watched as he got into his squad car and drove off. He waited until he was sure he was gone then slid his phone from his pocket, realizing that his hands were shaking. Stepping outside so that he couldn’t be overheard, he dialed Marrie’s number.
He spoke as soon as she answered. “The police were here when I got home. I told them I was at your place all night from early evening, as agreed.”
“Did they suspect anything?”
“I don’t think so, but they said they’d have to speak to you, which we knew was going to happen. You know what you need to say, right?”
She sighed. “Of course. I’m not an idiot.”
He let out a breath. “I know. Sorry. Just a bit stressed over here.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine. They’ve got nothing on you. I’ll call you when they’re gone.”
Disconnecting, Neil turned to look at the house. All this was going to be his one day and nothing, nothing, was going to get in the way of that.
10
It had been three weeks since the murder, three of the longest weeks of her life. Every morning, just for a brief instant in time, she forgot. In that instant, she was happy. But it was all too fleeting and when reality quickly dawned on her, her happiness was once again shattered.
She’d gotten into a routine now. She’d get up, have breakfast, and then be right on the phone to the police to see if there was any news. For the first few da
ys she’d been hopeful, never doubting that someone would be caught and that she’d be able to see them pay for what they’d done. As the days passed and there was no progress, no miraculous, scientific breakthrough like you see in the movies, her fear grew. Fear that whoever did this was going to be able to stay free.
There was no denying that as her hopes faded, her anger grew. Surprisingly, it wasn’t aimed at the killer but rather was aimed at herself. All those stupid doubts she’d had, her anger at Ted for wanting a quick wedding, all seemed so silly now. She’d marry him tomorrow and never worry about the little things again if she could just have him back.
Her family had been incredibly supportive, especially Neil. Those first few days, he’d just sat at the bottom of her bed not saying a word, just keeping her company. He’d gone with her to see the police when she’d wanted to, regardless of whether they had any news or not. Physically going to the station, talking to the officers, helped her feel like she was doing something. He’d sat with her when she’d gone to see Ted’s parents to discuss the funeral arrangements, holding her hand quietly.
And he was by her side now as they followed the coffin to the cemetery for the burial. There was no doubt in her mind that this was going to be one of the hardest days of her life, but she knew that with her brother’s help, she’d get through it.
It was almost over. He’d hardly left Andrew’s side since the murder. He liked to think he was just being a good brother but he knew he was kidding himself. He wanted to be close in case the police came up with anything. He needed to know the moment they did.
So far, though, they had nothing, and with no further avenues of investigation open to them, they’d finally released Ted’s body for burial.
Looking around, he frowned when he saw Marrie standing there, her head bowed, at the back of the circle of mourners surrounding the grave. As he watched, she raised her head and met his eyes, smiling. She’d insisted on coming to the wake, but he’d told her to meet him at the house. He’d had no idea she’d turn up here.
The priest had just finished and the mourners started dispersing, making their way to their vehicles to drive over to Ted parent’s house.
“Go and get in the car. I’ll be there in just a second.” He kissed his sister’s cheek and watched as she walked off in the direction of the black limousine parked a short distance away.
Everyone had left the graveside now except Marrie, who was waiting for him.
“What are you doing here? I told you I’d meet you at the house.”
“I wanted to pay my respects. It’s a free country, you know.”
“Pay your respects? But you didn’t even know him!”
“Actually, I did.” She looked at him and sighed. “We had a bit of a ‘thing’ a few months ago.”
She said this so casually that for a moment, Neil was lost for words. “I’m sorry? A ‘thing’?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Don’t worry, it was before I met you.”
He couldn’t believe she was telling him this, here, now.
“And you think now is the right time to be telling me this?” He could feel his face getting flushed. “You don’t think maybe you should have told me this before?”
She looked genuinely confused. “Why? It doesn’t have anything to do with you. I’m only telling you now so you know why I needed to come.”
Neil shook his head, bewildered. She was right; it had nothing to do with him really, other than the fact that it was further evidence that Ted was a serial cheater. It certainly didn’t bother him.
“For God’s sake, just make sure Andrew doesn’t find out. She’ll run straight to my parents and, let’s face it, they already have a pretty low opinion of you,” he snapped.
“Give me some credit will you!”
“I’ll see you up at the house.” He glared at her as he turned to walk away.
“Wait! Can I go with you? I took a taxi here. I didn’t bring the car in case I wanted to drink.”
“No, you can’t come with us. We’re in the funeral car. It’s not appropriate. You’ll have to get a ride from someone or get another cab.”
Leaving her standing there pouting, he headed to the car where Andrew was waiting.
11
“I told you, not yet,” Neil hissed.
“When, then?”
They were having the same old disagreement again. She’d been pushing him to tell his parents about their plans for the past week. Every time they were alone together, she’d bring the subject up.
“Jeez, Marrie! We’re at a wake. Will you just quit?” He was getting seriously pissed now.
He wouldn’t have a choice. He knew that. He’d have to tell them at some point. If he didn’t follow through on his promise, then he had no doubt whatsoever that she would go straight to Andrew and his parents and he would lose everything.
He was struggling with the guilt. Every time he saw Andrew’s ravaged, tear-streaked face he felt sick to his stomach. He had done this to her, he had caused her this pain. It may have been unintentional, but the result was the same. There was nothing he could do to change things, but he was determined that he would do everything he could to make her smile again.
“Okay, okay! We’ll give it a couple of days and then we tell them. Agreed?”
With a sigh, he nodded. “Agreed.”
That seemed to put a smile on her face and she wandered off happily to pick at the buffet.
She was feeling quite pleased with herself. That ring was practically on her finger. She could almost feel it!
She wasn’t naïve. She knew how most of the men she had relationships with saw her: the cheap whore worth a lay but not worth anything else. She probably hadn’t helped herself by screwing half the men in town and getting herself a reputation for being easy. But she was determined to marry into money, to escape her life.
Her mom had raised her, if it could be called that, in a trailer singlehandedly, and she had no idea who her father was. He could have been any one of the trail of men that traipsed through her mother’s life, leaving nothing but bruises and heartache.
At the first chance she’d gotten she’d left, taking her mother’s current beau with her. She’d been sixteen and he’d been forty-four but he had his own car and a job and that was enough for her. She’d stuck with him for about six months, until she’d grown tired of his old body on top of hers. Then she’d relieved him of his cash and hit the road.
She’d ended up here and somehow she’d stayed. Ted had been her first chance at marrying well but it hadn’t gone according to plan. Then Neil had come along. She’d done everything she could to make sure that she was the perfect woman. She hadn’t been demanding, had played it cool, and had screwed him senseless whenever he wanted her to.
When he’d come to her that night wanting an alibi, she’d known that was it. Home run.
And now, the end was in sight. Soon she would have that damned ring on her finger and people would stop looking down their noses at her. She might even go back and find her mother and buy her a new trailer. She laughed out loud at that thought, drawing glances from the other mourners. Jeez, relax people!
Filling her plate with food, she looked around the room as she ate. God, there was so much money in this room! And soon, she would be one of them. She only just managed to suppress her grin at this thought. She could see the sideways glances now from people wondering what on earth she was doing here. More than a couple, she knew, were wondering if their wives or girlfriends were going to get a nasty shock.
Spotting Andrew standing alone by one of the room’s many windows looking lost, she made her way over to her.
“How you doing? You okay?”
Andrew looked confused for moment, her eyes unfocused.
“Sorry, I was miles away.” She smiled weakly. “I’m okay. Thank you for asking. I was just thinking about how unfair it is that such a good man should die so young.”
“Um. Yeah.” If
she only knew what kind of a man he really was! “So they still don’t know anything, huh?” She knew the answer, but she had to ask.
“No, nothing.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wrung her hands. “Our whole future, snatched away, and I still don’t know why!”
“What did you say to her?” The question made her jump. She hadn’t heard Neil approach. “Has she upset you?” He put his arm around his sister, pulling her slightly away from Marrie.
Of course it had to be her fault! “No, I didn’t!”
He just glared at her.
“She was being really nice, actually.” Andrew sniffed, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “Saying what a nice man Ted was.”
I was?
“Well, that surprises me, actually. I didn’t think you and Ted got along that well.” He looked at her quizzically. “When I saw you at the party, it looked like the two of you had been fighting, remember?”
“Why were you fighting?” Andrew was looking at her also now and she felt like a rabbit caught in headlights.
“Really, it was nothing.” She tried to pass it off. “Look, I’d better go. I’ve got to work later and I need to go home and get ready. Will you drop me off?” she asked Neil.
“I don’t really want to leave Andrew. Can you make your own way back?”
“I didn’t drive, you know that,” she hissed back. She’s in a room full of people fawning over her. She’ll be fine, is what she actually wanted to say but that would be rude.
“No, go. Take her home. I’ll be fine.” Andrew smiled at him.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. Go.”
12
He was not looking forward to this at all. It had only been a week since the funeral, but Marrie was getting increasingly upset and he knew that if he didn’t speak to his parents soon she was likely to shoot her mouth off. He’d told them he had something important to talk to them about and they were both now standing in the living room of the house waiting for them.